Clematis

 My very lovely Clematis.

Water?

 Our village, and many surrounding areas have had no water for a good part of the day. It's a bit of a shock when you are really, really looking forward to that first cup of tea. And nothing comes out of the tap.

South West Water have told us that it's due to a burst mains pipe somewhere, which has affected many places.

We're fortunate here in that we have a small village shop, and by 9am I had run down and bought two bottles of water, and checked that my neighbour had plenty.

I think what upset me far more than lack of water was the very loud FUSS that people made. There were dozens of posts belittling poor old SWWater, howls of rage that the taps were dry, fury because the website went down, and so on.

It's so easy to forget that we are a privileged nation. We don't have to walk miles to a borehole to carry buckets of water home. We turn on a tap, and normally the water is there. And if it's not, we know that there are Companies who will do all they can to put things right, as soon as possible, and who take the time to ring 'vulnerable 'older people to reassure them.

Let's be grateful. 

Taking tea.

 

We have one or two 'secret' tea gardens locally. You just have to discover them!

This one is in the garden of a lovely stone farmhouse, set down a winding lane. It is only open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Sitting in the shade of the surrounding trees with a Brownie and a cup of tea is a very peaceful way to spend an afternoon.

We have so many places to take tea in Cornwall, beachside cafes, town tea rooms and gracious hotel terraces.

But the secret ones are worth finding!

Hydrangeas, and a bit of Cornish history

I'm so happy to see my Hydrangea flowering again. It always surprises me with a mix of colours , even though it is all one plant.

 I have the 'mophead' plants but also the flat lace cap variety which is late flowering this year, so no photos yet.

Next to the hydrangea is a pillar which has had a lovely yellow rose, Graham Thomas. who has finished flowering. There is a very dark purple Clematis twining its way around the obelisk, which has not done as well this year. I think it has been too wet.

Cornwall is a county that is always successful in producing Hydrangeas, possibly because there is so much rainfall here . In the 19th Century plants were brought from Japan to Cornwall and planted in some of the historic gardens in the county.

 Trebah Gardens is one. It is such a lovely place to wander, from the house down to the shore. During WW2 the beach was concreted to allow access for landing crafts, and you can still see the track marks. In June 1944 7500 men embarked from Trebah beach with tanks, guns and transport. Onward they battled through raging seas till they reached Omaha beach.

Now all is peaceful, with lakes, woodland and beach to explore.